(DAVENPORT, Iowa, Sept. 25)—The McKendree University football team built a 21-point lead after three quarters and withstood a late rally from Saint Ambrose University to post a 21-14 victory Saturday evening at Brady Street Stadium in Davenport, Iowa.
The Bearcats' defense limited the Fighting Bees to just 95 yards of total offense in the first three quarters of play and provided a big touchdown late in the first half to register their 12th consecutive Mid-States Football Association-Midwest League victory dating back to the 2008 season. McKendree, the No. 14-ranked team in the NAIA, improved to 4-1 on the year and 2-0 in MSFA Midwest League play. Saint Ambrose, rated No. 23 in the same poll, dropped to 2-2 overall. The Fighting Bees were playing their 2010 conference opener.
“We took the step we needed to take tonight,” said McKendree football coach Carl Poelker. “We're getting closer to doing what we need to do to be a really good football team. I thought we played well on both sides of the ball, we limited our mistakes and took advantage of (Saint Ambrose's) mistakes. I really liked the way we attacked tonight and the way we kept our poise, especially when they came back in the fourth quarter.”
Two McKendree players reached career milestones in Saturday's victory. Senior tight end Byron Gettis (Cahokia, Ill./Cahokia) (Cahokia, Ill./Cahokia) had two catches in the contest to become the Bearcats' career leader in receptions. Gettis now has 64 receptions at McKendree, breaking the old mark of 63 set by Brett Gross from 1996-99. Gettis broke the mark with an 18-yard catch midway through the second quarter.
Senior running back Marlone Chenault (Bellwood, Ill./Proviso East) (Bellwood, Ill./Proviso East) became the 16th member of the Bearcats' 1,000-yard club since the program was revived back in 1996. Chenault, who had 51 yards on 15 carries, pushed his career total to 1,017 yards. Chenault surpassed the 1,000-yard mark with a five-yard run on the Bearcats' opening drive of the second half.
Senior running back Jimmy Berezik (Fraser, Mich./De La Salle) (Fraser, Mich./De La Salle) rushed for a game-high 100 yards on 24 rushes to lead McKendree's ground attack. Senior fullback Joe Beimfohr (Nashville, Ill./Nashville) (Nashville, Ill./Nashville) chipped in with 49 yards on 15 attempts.
Defensively, McKendree intercepted a season-high three passes. Senior defensive lineman J.T. Smith (Clinton, Ill./Clinton) (Clinton, Ill./Clinton) picked off a pass with just 1:15 remaining before halftime and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown to give the Bearcats a 14-0 lead at the intermission. McKendree scored two of its three touchdowns following interceptions by Saint Ambrose.
“He saw that goal line and nobody was going to stop him from getting to the end zone,” said Poelker. “He's so happy right now. J.T.'s play tonight really helped swing the momentum right at the end of the half.”
McKendree took a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter when Chenault bulled into the end zone from a yard out on a fourth-and-goal play. The score stood until late in the first half when Smith stepped in front of a pass by Saint Ambrose backup quarterback Eric Williamson and rambled down the right sideline for 30-yard scoring play.
The Bearcats picked up their final points of the game late in the third quarter when Beimfohr capped a 32-yard drive with a one-yard TD burst. McKendree was given a short field to work with on the drive thanks to the first career interception by freshman defensive back Ryan Keen (Country Club Hills, IL/Hillcrest) (Country Club Hills, Ill./Hillcrest).
Saint Ambrose rallied in the fourth quarter as third-string quarterback Barney O'Donnell threw scoring passes of 46 and 15 yards to Michael Hayward, the second coming with just 2:55 to play. The Fighting Bees tried an onside kick, but the attempt was quickly recovered by McKendree junior wide receiver Robby Mosher (Springfield, Ill./Sacred Heart-Griffin) (Springfield, Ill./Sacred Heart-Griffin).
Smith, junior linebackers Jason Rejfek (Arlington Heights, IL/John Hersey) (Arlington Heights, Ill./John Hersey) and Brandon Nigro (New Lenox, IL/Lincoln-Way Central) (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way East), as well as sophomore defensive lineman Tim Weidenbacher (Naperville, IL/Naperville North) (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North) shared team-high honors for McKendree with six tackles each. Weidenbacher also had three of the Bearcats' six quarterback sacks in the contest.
McKendree will enjoy an open date next week before returning to action Oct. 9 with an MSFA Midwest League game at the University of St. Francis (Ill.). Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. at Joliet Memorial Stadium.
